Inspired by legendary Stanford University women’s basketball coach Tara VanDerveer, this Fund honors her remarkable legacy by providing grants aimed at enhancing the advancement of women coaches across all collegiate sports. From basketball and volleyball to water polo and fencing, the Fund provides opportunities through fellowships, mentorship, and professional development.

Discover more about this year’s cohort of WSF VanDerveer Fellows here.

About the VanDerveer Fund

The WSF Tara VanDerveer Fund for the Advancement of Women in Coaching addresses a key challenge of Title IX: while the landmark legislation opened doors for girls and women in sports, the percentage of women in collegiate coaching has declined sharply. In 1971, women held 90% of head coaching roles for women’s college teams; by the 2024-25 academic year, that figure is just 41% in the NCAA. The gap is even more stark for BIPOC women, who account for only 8% of head coaching roles in women’s NCAA sports. Women also hold just 29% of NCAA assistant coaching positions, with BIPOC women making up only 7% of assistants across women’s and men’s teams. All the while, women head coaches of men’s collegiate teams have remained relatively stagnant during the same time frame.

This grant program works to close that gap by prioritizing investment, professional development, networking, and mentorship over a 10-month fellowship, from August through June. Grants are awarded to institutions of higher education in the United States committed to the objective of the Fund.

The Tara VanDerveer Fund is proudly administered by WSF and supported through generous private and public donations.

We are grateful for the philanthropic support of generous donors who believe in the power of sport to empower girls and women.

Support the impact of the Tara VanDerveer Fund, learn more about donating here.

Financial Award

Funds are given directly to colleges and universities to provide stipends for their WSF VanDerveer Fellows. These stipends can be utilized for salary, tuition, housing, or professional opportunities. Each institution will receive $15,000 to support their Fellow, along with an additional $2,500 dedicated specifically to the Fellow’s professional development.

The awarded institution is responsible for determining how to distribute the funds to the Fellow and may choose to offer extra financial support from their institutional budget.

To meet grant requirements, each VanDerveer Fellow must participate in at least two professional development opportunities, such as relevant coaching association conferences, sport specific training, or women’s coaching networking events.

WSF Programming

Beyond the required professional development opportunities, WSF creates meaningful opportunities for VanDerveer Fellows to learn and build relationships. These exciting opportunities include:

• An immersive trip to New York City for WSF’s Annual Salute to Women in Sports and related events in October with travel and accommodations fully covered and coordinated by WSF.
• Monthly connection meetings with other Fellows and Mentor Coaches, with an emphasis on building the cohort’s community and shared learning.
• Inspirational guest speakers who are experts in coaching and leadership, offering valuable insights and advice.
• Each Fellow receives a book for our book club; this year’s selection is Life’s Work: How Tara VanDerveer and Stanford Women’s Basketball Changed the Sport by Michelle Smith.

Grant Application Timeline

Who Can Apply

• Institutions of higher education with athletic programs located within the 50 United States, District of Columbia and U.S. Territories, including tribal colleges and universities.
• All NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA and other athletic association member institutions are encouraged to apply.
• Applications must be submitted by an approved representative; individuals cannot apply for the Fund on their own and must be sponsored by a university or college which would submit the application.

Grant Expectations

• Recipients are expected to utilize the grant for its designated purpose.
• Recipients must allow the selected Fellow to attend two required professional development opportunities.
• The chosen Fellow should be made available to participate in WSF’s programming, including the trip to NYC in October.
• All promotional materials regarding the Fellowship must acknowledge this grant and the Women’s Sports Foundation.
• Fellows will be available for interviews on behalf of WSF, provided there is advance notice and availability.
• Recipients are required to submit two progress reports throughout the duration of the Fund.

How to Apply

During the program application period, an authorized representative of the college or university can submit an application via Foundant GLM. Each application will be assessed based on the provided information, including the following criteria:

• Profile of the institution’s proposed mentor coach and the perceived mentorship experience for their chosen Fellow.
• Proposed job description for the WSF VanDerveer Fellow.
• The institution’s plan and process for selecting a WSF VanDerveer Fellow.
• The institution’s commitment to providing additional support to the their chosen Fellow.
• The institution’s demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion within its athletics department, faculty, and overall student body.

Notification of Application Acceptance

You will receive an email at the address provided in your profile once your application has been received. Applications that are late, incomplete or request funds for an ineligible request will not be accepted. Additional conditions under which an application will not be accepted include:

• Applications submitted via email or fax
• Applications for programs that require compulsory religious participation
• Applications requesting funding towards the purchase of land, construction of buildings, event sponsorships, and/or the purchase/care of animals
• Applications seeking retroactive funding

Contact

For questions about the Fund, contact Morgan Powell at MPowell@WomensSportsFoundation.org.

If you have questions about making a donation, contact Lisa Thuer-Winkelfoos at LThuer@WomensSportsFoundation.org.

Rooted in Scott Pioli’s decades‑long commitment to equity and mentorship in football, this Fund supports women building careers as coaches and scouts across collegiate and professional football. Created through the generosity of Scott Pioli and his family, the Fund expands access to training, education, and professional pathways — helping ensure more women enter and advance through football’s leadership pipeline.

About the Pioli & Family Fund

A three‑time Super Bowl champion and longtime NFL personnel executive, Scott Pioli has been a vocal advocate for equality and a mentor to women across the sport. Guided by his family’s belief in Billie Jean King’s vision of women and men advancing together in sport, the Fund reflects a shared commitment to strengthening representation and opportunity in football.

Women continue to make strides in coaching and scouting, yet access to resources, mentorship, and institutional support remains uneven. The Pioli & Family Fund addresses these barriers by providing financial assistance that helps women pursue opportunities that move their careers forward — from certifications and professional development to travel, housing, and job‑related expenses. Grants are awarded to individuals in the United States who demonstrate commitment to the objectives of the Fund.

The Scott Pioli & Family Fund is proudly administered by WSF and supported through generous private and public donations. Learn more about how you can support the Fund below.

Financial Award

Grants are awarded to individuals in the United States who are committed to the objectives of the Fund. Award amounts typically range from $2,000–$10,000 and may be used for job‑related expenses — including professional development, travel, education, and housing — that support advancement in football coaching or scouting.

Who Can Apply

• Individuals pursuing careers in football coaching or scouting within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories.
• Part‑time coaches or scouts, graduate assistants, early‑career professionals, and established coaches or scouts in collegiate or professional football.
• All eligible individuals are encouraged to apply.
• Applications must be submitted directly by the individual; institutional sponsorship is not required.

Grant Application Timeline

The application period is currently closed. Please return in January 2027 for our next funding opportunity.

• January 13, 2027 – Applications open.
• April 30, 2027 – Application deadline.
• June 7, 2027 – Final decisions communicated.
• July 1, 2027 – Grant period beings.

This timeline may be adjusted as necessary.

How to Apply & Grant Criteria

During the application period, applicants may submit via Foundant GLM. Applications are evaluated according to the objectives of the Fund and the information provided by each applicant. Grants are awarded based on:

• Financial need
• Potential for advancement in football coaching or scouting
• Lack of support from traditional sources
• Potential impact of the grant on advancing the objectives of the Fund

Recipients are responsible for ensuring that all requested expenses comply with the rules and regulations of their governing organization(s).

Apply Here

Notification of Application Acceptance

You will receive an email at the address provided in your profile once your application has been received. Applications that are late, incomplete or request funds for an ineligible request will not be accepted. Additional conditions under which an application will not be accepted include:

• Applications submitted via email or fax
• Applications for programs that require compulsory religious participation
• Applications requesting funding towards the purchase of land, construction of buildings, event sponsorships, and/or the purchase/care of animals
• Applications seeking retroactive funding

2026 Grant Recipients

Meet the current recipients of the Scott Pioli & Family Fund, a cohort of emerging coaches and scouts whose work reflects the mission and impact of the Fund. Previous recipients are listed below.

Previous Recipients

About Scott Pioli

Scott Pioli is a nationally respected former NFL executive whose 30-plus year career includes five Super Bowl appearances, three Super Bowl championships, four AFC Championships, one NFC Championship, and nine Division titles. Pioli has consistently proven himself a top-tier professional executive and is widely recognized as one of the key architects of the Patriots dynasty.

Pioli’s professional contributions have earned him widespread recognition and distinction. He has been awarded the prestigious NFL Executive of the Year title five times and has been honored as the NFL’s Executive of the Decade by ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and Sporting News. Notably, Pioli still holds the distinction of being the youngest recipient of the George Young NFL Executive of the Year Award.

Pioli spent three decades in the NFL before becoming an analyst for various media outlets including NBC, NFL Network and CBS Sports. He is a sought after speaker and consultant that works for several companies, college athletic departments and the NFL. Additionally, Pioli and his wife are also investors/owners in the NWSL’s Boston Legacy FC franchise that began play in 2026.

As part of his work, Pioli is involved in various board affiliations that align with his values. He serves on the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Board of Trustees, where he chairs the Finance and Legal Committee, and contributes to RISE as a board member (Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality) and is the co-founder of RISE to Vote, actively promoting non-partisan civic engagement. He is also on the National Advisory Council for Women Leaders in Sports, a national non-profit organization that empowers women to advance into positions of influence and transform the world of sports through world-class leadership development, career training, and access to a powerful network. Pioli’s commitment is also evident through his involvement with the Black College Football Hall of Fame as a board member, the selection committee and his role as a founding member of the NFL’s Bill Walsh Diversity Council. He was named as the 2024 Black College Football HOF Founders Award by founders James ‘Shack’ Harris and Doug Williams.

Contact

For questions about the Fund, contact Morgan Powell at MPowell@WomensSportsFoundation.org.

Donor Info

We are grateful for the philanthropic support of generous donors who believe in the power of sport to empower girls and women.

If you have questions about making a donation, please contact Lisa Thuer-Winkelfoos at LThuer@WomensSportsFoundation.org

Donate Now to the Scott Pioli & Family Fund